Free Aquatic Attraction by Charlie Richards Page B

softly, staring into her eyes.
    “Yeah,” Carlye managed to get out. “Thanks.”
    The man nodded. “Of course. Good luck with your meeting.”
    Carlye nodded and smiled at him. “Thanks.”
    My meeting! She glanced at the clock in the lobby, 2:55 PM. Then she looked at Valerie sitting behind the reception desk, taking everything in with way too much interest. Without a backward glance, she bolted across the lobby, heading toward the Green Conference Room.

Chapter Two

    The half-smile still in place, Niall stared after the retreating woman. He enjoyed the way her lab coat flared at her hips and skimmed the tops of her thighs. Her black slacks were form fitting and showed off her legs. And he couldn’t take his gaze off her as she hurried from the room. Niall felt a nudge against his left arm and glanced at Branson.
    “Business, remember?”
    His smile lifted further. “And I can’t mix in pleasure why?”
    Drew chuckled from his right. “Meeting first, Pr…Niall,” he amended.
    “You’re right, of course,” he said softly, glancing down the hall where the woman had disappeared. So why had his body tightened with lust as soon as he’d touched her? The urge to pull her closer and feel her body pressed flush with his had been nearly overpowering. It had taken every ounce of self-control he had to release her. It hadn’t been that long, had it? As Niall thought back, he realized it had indeed been many years since any merwoman had interested him.
    But a human?
    “And what was with the calming charm?” Branson hissed. “You’d better hope no other creatures are around that could sense that.”
    Calming charm? Damn, he hadn’t even thought. It had been instinct, as if he had to do whatever it took to ease the woman’s concern. Who was she?
    He couldn’t explain his actions to his friends. Niall couldn’t explain it to himself. Ignoring their questioning looks, he strode to the receptionist and introduced them. “I’m Niall Karson. My associates and I have a meeting with Vance Larson.”
    “Of course, sir,” the blonde woman behind the counter said. She smiled coyly as she gave him a once over with her eyes. “Let me get him for you.” The woman hit a couple buttons on her phone before saying into the mouthpiece, “Mr. Larson? Mr. Karson and his party have arrived. Yes, I’ll tell him.” She disconnected the phone and smiled up at Niall. “He’ll be right out. Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Karson?”
    Niall watched the woman, Vanessa if the nameplate on the desk was accurate, lick her lips and smile. He barely kept from lifting an amused brow, before replying coolly, “That will be all. Thank you.” Before she could respond, he turned away and pretended to stare at the pictures of ships and ocean oil drills on the lobby walls.
    “If that scientist lady had asked that, you would have been all over her,” Branson murmured in his ear.
    Niall grinned, not bothering to deny it. The woman certainly piqued his interest. Seconds later, a heavy man of medium height strode into the reception area. He stuck out his hand, confirming Niall’s suspicions when he introduced himself as Vance Larson. He took the offered hand, giving it a firm squeeze as he shook it. The man didn’t flinch or seem surprised, telling Niall there was plenty of muscle hidden underneath Vance’s bulky frame.
    Niall and his companions followed Vance out of the room in the opposite direction his mystery woman disappeared. From the corner of his eye, he saw a nasty smirk cross Vanessa’s face as she slipped from behind the reception desk and headed down the hall the brunette had followed. With an effort, he focused on Vance.
    “I’m so pleased you could join the investor’s presentation at the last minute. The more the merrier in this economy, eh?”
    Niall didn’t agree, but he kept his opinion hidden behind a false smile. “How long have you been looking at this area to develop?” he asked. Since they’d